NRA goes after Democrats in contested Senate races

Until recently, the National Rifle Association’s primary involvement in the 2012 election has been limited to renting booths at state fairs and circulating flyers and bumper stickers, plus the occasional low-budget TV or radio buy.

But thanks to the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, the powerful gun rights group has stepped up its game. A $420,000 ad buy last week followed by a $358,000 buy reported Tuesday shows the NRA is ready to invest in more than just convincing fair- and rodeo-goers to vote against President Barack Obama.

The NRA Institute for Legislative Action’s new ads, released Monday, attack the records of Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, who are both running for U.S. Senate — and Federal Election Commission filings indicate Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, is the next target.

3. Well

If the president would come out against further restrictions on gun owners instead of being for them I'm sure the NRA would like to back him. As to why a democrat would want the NRA's support, they're very well funded and have a large dedicated block of members who consistently vote. The "lies an fear" part just seems like you have an ideological ax to grind.

6. Interesting

As was pointed out above the NRA does endorse democrats who are pro gun, so what evidence do you have that proves they wouldn't endorse the president if he reversed his stance on gun rights? As for Romneybot, I agree that the NRA should be more critical of him but this months American Rifleman actually had an interview with him where they discussed the AW ban he signed. Apparently it had a large number of protections for gun owners in the bill and was supported by many pro 2A groups in the state so they give him a pass. I don't agree with that logic, but that's what the NRA is saying.

92. We agree on Romney!

President Obama has been largely pro-gun rights in his first term. He received an "F" rating from the Brady Campaign.

As with most issues Romney Romney has been on both sides of gun control. In the past Romney has been for strong gun control but now has shifted his position to supporting gun rights.

Mitt Romney on Gun Control

Mitt Romney. When he ran for the Senate and for governor, he supported a ban on assault rifles and the Brady Bill's five-day waiting period for gun purchases. He proudly said those positions wouldn't make him "the hero of the NRA." As governor, he made Massachusetts the first state to permanently ban assault weapons. He has even flip-flopped about whether he owns any guns. In New Hampshire, he was asked his view on the Second Amendment. He responded that he had been a hunter "pretty much all my life." Later, red-faced aides of Romney had to admit that Romney had never had a hunting license, and under further questioning, Romney acknowledged that his "lifetime of hunting" was having shot at some birds during a Republican governors meeting during a fund-raising event and maybe shooting at "small varmints" when he was seventeen with his cousin.

GovWatch: 1994: did not “line up with the NRA”
Top Romney Flip Flops: #3. Gun Control:

Campaigning for the Senate in 1994, Romney said he favored strong gun laws and did not “line up with the NRA.” He signed up for “lifetime membership” of the NRA in August 2006 while pondering a presidential run, praising the group for “doing good things” and “supporting the right to bear arms.”
Source: GovWatch on 2008 campaign: “Top Ten Flip-Flops” , Feb 5, 2008

***snip***

I support the work of the NRA, but disagree sometimes
We should check on the backgrounds of people who are trying to purchase guns. We also should keep weapons of unusual lethality from being on the street. And finally, we should go after people who use guns in the commission of crimes or illegally, but we should not interfere with the right of law-abiding citizens to own guns, for their own personal protection or hunting or any other lawful purpose. I support the work of the NRA. I’m a member of the NRA. But do we line up on every issue? No, we don’t.
Source: Meet the Press: 2007 “Meet the Candidates” series , Dec 16, 2007

***snip***

Supports Second Amendment rights but also assault weapon ban

Q: As governor you signed into law one of the toughest restrictions on assault weapons in the country.

A: Let’s get the record straight. First of all, there’s no question that I support 2nd Amendment rights, but I also support an assault weapon ban. Look, I’ve been governor in a pretty tough state. You’ve heard of blue states. In the toughest of blue states, I made the toughest decisions and did what was right for America. I have conservative values.
Source: 2007 Republican Debate in South Carolina , May 15, 2007
http://www.ontheissues.org/2012/Mitt_Romney_Gun_Control.htm

5. The NRA is non-sectarian

They support Democrat and Republican candidates based not on their parties but on their graded-positions on the subject of the RKBA.

Because of a flaw in our party's platform (wrongfully adapted by hopefully well-meaning but misguided Democrats) many more Republican candidates rate highly with the NRA than Democrats. But, that could be easily rectified by amending our party platform to a more pro-RKBA position.

7. So the NRA would support Democrats if they were more like Republicans?

8. The NRA is a single issue lobby

Party doesn't matter, either you support gun rights or you don't and they react accordingly. Simple as that. If the dems really wanted to put an end to the republicans they'd adopt the NRAs platform on gun rights and run the table in future elections.

143. Here is Governor Romney 6 years ago

"Finally, on gun control Governor Romney signed legislation banning assault rifles in Massachusetts and said at the time that "These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people.”

29. Is Sherrod Brown a fascist, in your opinion? eom

31. I speak of ideology ...

... not personality. I cannot say if Mr. Brown believes in fascism. However, disarming the civilian populace is fascist and anyone who supports disarming the civilian populace supports a principle of fascism. As to whether or not that makes that particular individual a fascist, only the individual can truly say.

16. I see no reason for a 3 day waiting period

And I was simply pointing out why the NRA doesn't support him in response to you call bullshit. As for me, you know nothing of my politics other than my stance on gun rights. I also noticed you avoided the rest of the article.

64. His record was fine with the NRA

but not with the Kochs. The current guy voted for the AWB among other things, making him unfine with the NRA and Ohio gun groups. Being a corporatist, he was very fine with the Kochs. Now shall we talk about those easily hacked touch screen voting machines? Yeah I think there was some high tech ballot stuffing going on like 2004.

120. The "Christian" Coalition is single-issue too

be anti-choice and they are your new best friend. Like I said, there's all kinds of campaign cash to be had from the NRA, "pro-life", anti-union, and all manner of fringe right-wing groups. But someone who calls himself a Dem should not pander to the extreme right.

33. Yeah

it is about the Second Amendment, I have a lot of friends who would vote D if the party would change it's stance on gun control.
If the Dem. Party would wholly embrace the Second Amendment, we would take away the R's biggest wedge issue and probably win just about every seat in the country.

37. Well let's see

I didn't say what Pres. Obama is or is not in favor of restricting, I said what the Party stance is, like the permanent renewal of the failed AWB, the closing of the so called gun show loophole which is not a loophole at all, it's the law.
And I do support the laws already passed, enforce them first before even thinking of passing new laws which do absolutely nothing to stop thugs from getting guns.

47. You have no idea what I support

Your just like every other anti gun, anti NRA person here, just because we're pro Second Amendment or we agree with NRA, then we support RW legislation to help R's., even though you know nothing about us.

You want to tell lies about me, then we're done, you want to have an honest debate, fine, but don't pretend you know what I do or don't support.
You are so transparent it's laughable.

52. Yeah, you are vague. How about the three day waiting period for purchases?

57. Guns on school busses?

WTF are you talking about, where is that allowed? And I would have no problem with it if the person were properly trained.
The three day waiting period? Why? The instant background check works pretty good now, I would like to see the Fed. Govt fund states for better reporting of prohibited persons to NICS.
And how could I be vague about something I didn't even offer an opinion about yet?
You sure do like to project don't you?

66. Cool strawman bro.

38. Actually he did

He came out in support of a new assault weapons ban. He isn't campaigning on it because he knows it will cost him swing states. Also, the democrats support more "common sense" gun control. Renounce that and shun groups like the Brady Campaign and you'll see more NRA support.

46. Well

I'm here as a pro gun liberal trying to counter my fellow lefties unreasonable stance on the 2nd amendment. As for why I oppose "common sense" gun control, it's because it serves no purpose other than to disarm the citizens of this country and infringe on the second amendment. When you say "common sense" I hear "I'm frightened and want to strip you of your constitutional rights".

67. I can rephrase it if you like nt

65. then what does common sense mean?

Florida has a three business day waiting period, meaning if I bought a gun yesterday it would actually be a six day waiting period, since so many people on your side bitch about Florida, I'm guessing the three day waiting period isn't really common sense after all?

104. Your "beliefs" mean nothing if they're not true.

124. The flaw in your self proclaimed certianty is that you , no anyone else has proven that the

NRA has only one issue. I could just as easily have said to you that "until you can prove that the NRA is a one issue group" then your statement is meaningless.

Undoubtedly, you will respond to my post with your usual, "I'm right and you are wrong". In other words, you will just piss on my opinion with the smug certainty that you are absolutely correct in you opinion.

139. You're the one claiming that the NRA is a multi-issue org.

I've proven you wrong even though the onus is on you to prove what you claim.
So far, you've provided no proof of what you claim and until you do, then, this conversation is over.
If and when you do provide proof that the NRA is more than a one issue org., then I will retract my statements and issue an apology to you.
Fair enough?

80. The NRA is nothing more

than a highly financed front for the gun and ammunition manufacturer , distributor, and retailer lobby.

And the citizen members of the NRA and their fellow travelers are the malleable tools of the NRA who will rush out and buy more guns and ammo, even in a down economy.

They are a captive customer base. Everyone, except them, apparently, knows that the first step in capturing a customer base is to capture their minds. In this case, the fearful and resentful are easily made more fearful and resentful to be captured by made-up stories, wholly without any supporting evidence (because there is none to be had) that Obama and/or the Democrats are going to go house-to-house to confiscate people's guns.

It's like people rushing out to buy toothpaste or deodorant based on the scare tactics of the commercials warning of becoming a social pariah if those products aren't used. Or people asking their doctors for heavy duty pain killers because a a bit of muscle strain or minor headache.

Ultimately, for the NRA, the goal of defeating a political candidate is secondary to selling more product and being able to hold captive already elected officials and still sell more product.

88. Watch out! This is Scalia country down hereabouts.

Him, and the other four right-wing jurists on the Supreme Court got their very own fan club in the Gungeon.

Try to pin one of our "pro gun progressives" down on whether he's going to vote for Obama or not given that the President is likely to put jurists on the Supreme Court who are likely to overturn the core ruling in Heller and the Chicago case: it's like trying get a handle on cotton candy. Lots of subject-changing and obfuscations and diversionary nonsense...you've never seen so many "progressives" so reticent to state forthrightly that they'll vote for the progressive, Democratic President of the United States in November.

101. Keep on dodgin': I would too, were I you. n/t.

102. Let's go on the record - please answer Yes or No, no qualifications or other diversions, please:

So far, President Obama has appointed Supreme Court justices who would, if they had the votes, overturn the core holding of the Heller and Chicago case rulings.

Given that if re-elected he will likely have the opportunity, due to the advancing age of several of the right-wing justices, to appoint the deciding vote to overturn those rulings, are you going to vote for President Obama this November?

122. McDonald won't be over turned

by anyone because it could begin a right wing attack on other incorporation rulings. Plus, I don't see Brady or anyone else pushing anything through the court system to SCOTUS. I'm voting for Obama either way.

123. I'll answer your question

Yes I do plan on voting for President Obama because I want to see the entirety of the affordable care act implemented. That being said, I have no problem handing him a hostile congress, by not voting for pro gun control democrats, if he pushes gun control. In 2016 if the democrat runs on a gun control platform they will not be recieving my vote and neither will the republicans. Eventually the democrats will either learn not to touch the gun issue or lose elections. Simple as that.

134. "I have no problem handing him a hostile congress" - this violates DU TOS, plain and simple:

"Vote for Democrats.

Winning elections is important — therefore, advocating in favor of Republican nominees or in favor of third-party spoiler candidates that could split the vote and throw an election to our conservative opponents is never permitted on Democratic Underground. But that does not mean that DU members are required to always be completely supportive of Democrats. During the ups-and-downs of politics and policy-making, it is perfectly normal to have mixed feelings about the Democratic officials we worked hard to help elect. When we are not in the heat of election season, members are permitted to post strong criticism or disappointment with our Democratic elected officials, or to express ambivalence about voting for them. In Democratic primaries, members may support whomever they choose. But when general election season begins, DU members must support Democratic nominees (EXCEPT in rare cases where were a non-Democrat is most likely to defeat the conservative alternative, or where there is no possibility of splitting the liberal vote and inadvertently throwing the election to the conservative alternative). For presidential contests, election season begins when both major-party nominees become clear. For non-presidential contests, election season begins on Labor Day. Everyone here on DU needs to work together to elect more Democrats and fewer Republicans to all levels of American government. If you are bashing, trashing, undermining, or depressing turnout for our candidates during election season, we'll assume you are rooting for the other side." -emphases added.

125. You haven't asked me, but I have no problem answering it anyway:

I'll be voting for President Obama and every other Democrat on my ballot, no matter what they say or do regarding RKBA between now and the election, and no matter what promises/threats they might make regarding RKBA for the next term. And, I hope that Pres. Obama gets the opportunity to appoint a few more USSC judges.

That said, if I'm given the choice between two otherwise equivalent Ds I'll vote for the one with a better RKBA record, my active support/donations will be encouraged by a pro-RKBA position, and my communications to my representatives (and anyone else) will always been in favor of RKBA...

136. Thank you for your reply, and an open, unequivocal statement that you are voting the

Democratic ticket. What you do in the Democratic primary is okay with me; but what your post tells me is that you are likely a genuine "pro gun progressive," one who cares about "RKBA" but still overall supports the progressive agenda. I may have to change my Sig line: I think I have found a genuine "pro gun progressive" here...